Podcast Summary: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Urban Meyer Stops By The Herd

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd
Date: November 7, 2025
Guest: Urban Meyer (with Rob Parker contributing)
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview of Episode Theme

In Hour 3 of The Herd, Colin Cowherd is joined by former college football coach and current analyst Urban Meyer for an honest, sharply opinionated exploration of the week’s top college football storylines. The discussion centers on coaching rumors (specifically Meyer’s own rumored interest in Penn State), quarterback development, the changing landscape of college football, NFL rumors, and predictions for several major college and NFL games. The tone is quick, conversational, and mixes analysis with behind-the-scenes perspective from both Cowherd and Meyer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Urban Meyer Addresses Penn State Coaching Rumors

• Rumor Clarified:
  • Urban Meyer unequivocally denies meeting or negotiating with Penn State about their head coaching position.
    • Quote: “I certainly did not meet with Penn State about the job... I have no interest in coaching again. So, no, of course not.” (04:40)
• Agent and Monetary Scenario:
  • When pressed hypothetically if he’d return for $15M a year, Meyer jokes, “Big Noon, baby.” (05:03) — an allusion to staying with his present TV role.

2. Lincoln Riley, USC, and Coaching Tensions

• USC’s Position & Lincoln Riley:
  • Cowherd and Meyer discuss the narrative around Lincoln Riley possibly being on the move, referencing persistent rumors but expressing skepticism.
  • Meyer emphasizes the strengths of USC’s program: resources, recruiting, tradition, and asserts Riley is rightly positioned for success.
    • Quote (Meyer): “That’s one of the places I don’t understand, Colin. That’s got everything... I expect Lincoln Riley... to not go anywhere, and they’re going to have a nice run coming up.” (05:56-06:27)

3. Quarterback Development & NFL Prospects

• Dante Moore & Fernando Mendoza:
  • Meyer lauds both quarterbacks’ talents, but stresses the value of returning for another year rather than entering the NFL draft prematurely.
    • Quote: “I think they all come back. I think they all should come back and get one more year... You have nil money. They’re going to make more money in college than [in] the first couple years [of the NFL]... I don’t think right now any one of them are the top starter in the NFL.” (06:55-07:41)
  • On physical traits, Meyer says Moore is “a humble guy... still got some growth to do physically.” (06:55)
  • Regarding Mendoza, Meyer identifies him as a “system quarterback” (not a knock, but a credit to both the player and the system provided).
    • Quote: “People used to say our quarterbacks were system quarterbacks. And I was like, you're damn right they are. They're great quarterbacks that play in a great system. That’s what I see with Mendoza.” (08:11)
• Heisman Considerations:
  • Mendoza’s relatively low passing yardage might hurt his candidacy.
  • For both, Meyer prescribes another year of development for NFL readiness.

4. Lane Kiffin: NFL Future or College Loyalty?

• Meyer discusses Lane Kiffin’s growth and suggests Kiffin is better off remaining in the college game for now.
  • Quote: “My advice to Lane is, you got something good, man, stick with it.” (09:16-09:56)

5. Ohio State’s Dominance and Psychological Challenges

• Defensive Mastery:
  • Ohio State’s current defense receives high praise for playing at an NFL level.
• Developing Julian Saying:
  • Meyer calls Ohio State’s handling of young QB Julian Saying a “masterclass” in QB development, highlighting not overburdening him early, and his synergy with talented receivers.
    • Quote: “He’s completed 80% of his passes, legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. And he’s throwing to, I think, the two best receivers in the sport.” (10:21)
• Staying Hungry:
  • Meyer discusses the challenge for teams to remain motivated after success, noting that “reset” losses have, in his experience, spurred teams to get back on track.
    • Quote: “You want to coach a pissed off team. I'm sure there's a way that coach Day’s trying to figure out a way to get that team angry...” (12:02-12:39)

6. College Football’s Changing Power Map

• Meyer notes a shift in the playoff race: traditional powers like Clemson, LSU, Florida, etc., are fading, while schools like IU, Ole Miss, BYU, and Texas Tech rise.
  • Quote: “Out with the old... in with the new... College football has never been like this.” (12:45-13:05)

7. NFL Talk: Coaching Job Security & Rookie QBs

• Brian Daboll Almost Fired?
  • Reports surface that the Giants nearly fired Brian Daboll after a Denver loss. The panel discusses why firing a top coach midseason is counterproductive.
    • Quote (Cowherd): “You don’t let the best coach in the middle of the season go... fans and players are all like, we want the interim. And that doesn’t work either.” (22:06-22:28)
• Rookie Quarterbacks and Offensive Growth:
  • Analysis of young QBs (Drake May, Caleb Williams) holding onto the ball too long—partly due to learning NFL coverages.
  • Drake May openly takes responsibility for sacks and emphasizes improving his quick decision-making.
    • Quote (Drake May, clip): “A lot of the sacks I have taken have been my fault, you know, been me holding the football... my mindset is get it out...” (25:35-25:59)
• Matchups & Pundit Picks:
  • In the “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment (34:47–41:59), detailed predictions are made for key NFL games, including Patriots-Bucs, Bears-Giants, Cardinals-Seahawks, Rams-Niners, and Eagles-Packers, with robust back-and-forth analysis.

8. Miscellaneous: Receivers, Social Media, NBA Talk

• Rome Odunze’s Dad on Social Media:
  • The crew laughs about parents of NFL players liking posts about trades and how normal that is in today’s sports environment.
    • Quote (Cowherd): “Quarterback dad has become pageant mom.” (28:07)
• LeBron James Narrative Watch:
  • Playful speculation on LeBron’s strategically timed health updates and potential manipulation of media narratives.
    • Quote (Cowherd): “Sometimes LeBron’s camp is, you know, a little manipulative. They like to get their message out.” (43:41-43:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Urban on Penn State rumors:

  “I certainly did not meet with Penn State about the job...I have no interest in coaching again. So, no, of course not.” (04:40)

• Urban on modern college football parity:

  “College football has never been like this.” (13:05)

• Urban on young QBs and NIL:

  “You have nil money. They’re going to make more money in college than you will the first couple years…all come back, get another year…” (07:00)

• Meyer on Lane Kiffin’s maturity:

  “I told him...your maturity level, what you’ve done as a coach...I’m really proud of what he’s done…” (09:24)

• Cowherd on coach firings:

  “You don’t let the best coach in the middle of the season go. The second thing is, then you put an interim in. It’s the substitute teacher.” (22:06)

• Meyer on motivating championship teams:

  “You want to coach a pissed off team. I’m sure there’s a way that coach Day’s trying to figure out a way to get that team angry...” (12:27)

• On social media family drama:

  “Quarterback dad has become pageant mom.” – Colin Cowherd (28:07)

Key Timestamps

• 04:40: Urban Meyer denies Penn State rumors
• 05:56–06:27: Meyer on USC, Lincoln Riley, and the myth of difficulty at USC
• 06:55–07:41: Meyer’s advice for young QBs (Moore, Mendoza): stay in college another year
• 08:11: Mendoza as the ideal “system quarterback”
• 09:16–09:56: Lane Kiffin: Should he (or will he) jump to the NFL?
• 12:02–12:39: Meyer on how “reset” losses can motivate championship teams
• 13:05: “College football has never been like this” (parity discussion)
• 22:06–22:28: Debate about firing Brian Daboll: perils of midseason coach changes
• 25:35–25:59: Drake May on taking sacks and NFL learning curve
• 34:47–41:59: “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” – in-depth NFL picks and breakdown
• 28:07: Quarterback dads, social media, and the “pageant mom” phenomenon
• 43:41–43:50: On LeBron’s media strategies

Structure

1. Rumors, Rebuttals, and Coaching Carousel

• Urban Meyer firmly shuts down Penn State rumors (04:40).
• Lincoln Riley’s future: not going anywhere, USC remains a sleeping giant.

2. College Football Analysis and Trends

• Quarterback development: NIL and patience trump early NFL entry.
• Lane Kiffin’s evolution as a coach.
• Ohio State’s defensive dominance & QB handling.
• The need to manufacture hunger for highly ranked teams.

3. NFL Insights, Hot Seats, and Rookie QBs

• In-depth talk about head-coaching job security (Daboll/Giants).
• The importance of stability for young QBs (Jackson Dart).
• “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”: breakdowns and betting trends for key Sunday games.

4. Media Narratives, Social Media and Player Families

• Parental involvement on social media, its effects.
• LeBron’s careful management of his return narrative.

Conclusion

This episode delivers trademark Cowherd candor, insightful analysis from Urban Meyer, and the kind of off-the-cuff, real talk that listeners value when assessing both the business and culture of football. The show demonstrates how the landscape of both college and professional football is shifting—with more parity and more player empowerment—while still being shaped by traditional concerns of coaching mastery and program stability. Meyer’s practical advice for quarterback prospects and his nuanced perspective on coaching rumors add valuable depth to the day’s biggest sports stories.